Materials pod for mining machine and related methods

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for holding materials for use in connection with a mining machine and for being transported to or from the mining machine by a vehicle. The apparatus may comprise a pod including a base portion having a floor for supporting the materials. The pod may further include a connector adapted for connecting with the vehicle for transporting the pod to and from the mining machine. A vehicle having a receiver for receiving a portion of the pod includes a latch for latching with the connector. The pod may also have a tapered lower portion for creating a space with the floor for receiving a lifter, such as a bucket on a hauler or the like.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/151,713, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates to the mining field and, in particular, to a materials pod for use in connection with a mining machine, such as an underground roof bolter, and related methods.

BACKGROUND

Various proposals have been made for material handling and storage in connection with underground mining machines. An example may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,364,148, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. While the —148 patent mentions using a load-haul-dump, or LHD, vehicle, to install the pod in place, this may be easier said than done given the bulky nature of the disclosed pod. Efficiency is a paramount consideration in mining, and especially in the case of bolting the faces of mine passages (or “roof” bolting), which needs to be done as the mining process is completed and could serve as a limitation on progress if not done efficiently.

Accordingly, a need is thus identified for an improved pod for holding or storing materials that contributes to the enhanced efficiency of the mining operation. The pod would be above to be efficiently and effectively installed on or removed from a mining machine without extensive retrofitting, and using existing equipment in the mine environment. Overall, a significant savings of time and money would be realized through utilization of the disclosed concepts.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of this disclosure, an apparatus is disclosed for holding or storing materials for use in connection with a mining machine and for being transported to or from the mining machine by a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a materials pod including a base portion for supporting the materials, and having an open upper portion for providing access to the materials. The materials pod further includes a connector projecting therefrom, the connector adapted for connecting to the vehicle for transporting the materials pod to and from the mining machine.

In one embodiment, the vehicle comprises a lifter having a bucket, and the pod comprises a tapered portion adapted for engaging the bucket. The pod may comprise spaced arms adapted for supporting the connector. A receiver may be adapted for receiving the materials pod, the receiver including at least one open side for receiving the materials pod and an opposing end wall for engaging the materials pod in a nested condition. A hinge may also be provided for moving the connector from an operative position to a retracted position.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus for holding materials for use in a mining operation is provided. The apparatus comprises a mining machine having a support. A materials pod is supported by the support. The materials pod includes an overhang for extending beyond a perimeter of the support in an operative position.

In one embodiment, the materials pod comprises a tapered portion adapted for engaging a bucket associated with a lifter. The materials pod may comprise spaced arms projecting from a wall thereof and supporting a connector extending transverse to the wall. The support may comprise a receiver including at least one open side for receiving the materials pod and an opposing end wall for engaging the materials pod in a nested position. The open side may be bounded by flared sidewalls of the receiver for guiding the materials pod to the nested position. The mining machine may also include a latch for latching to the materials pod, and may comprise a bolter. A hinge may also be provided for moving the overhang from the operative position to a travel position.

Still a further aspect of the disclosure pertains to an apparatus for holding materials for use in connection with a mining operation. The apparatus comprises a materials pod including a base portion for supporting the materials, the materials pod further including a connector. A vehicle includes a receiver for receiving a portion of the materials pod, the vehicle including a latch for latching with the connector.

In one embodiment, the vehicle comprises an LHD and the receiver comprises a bucket. The materials pod may comprise a tapered portion for engaging the bucket. The materials pod may comprise spaced arms supporting the connector.

According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus for holding materials for use in connection with a mining machine in a mine passage having a floor. The apparatus comprises a materials pod including a tapered lower portion for forming a space between the materials pod and the floor, as well as an open upper portion for providing access to the materials. The apparatus may further include a lifter adapted for positioning in the space. The materials pod may comprise a plurality of arms extending from the pod, the arms supporting a connector for connecting the materials pod to a lifter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawing figures incorporated herein and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the pod for storing materials and, together with the description, serve to explain certain principles thereof. In the drawing figures:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a mining machine;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the mining machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the mining machine including a materials pod according to the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the mining machine of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a materials pod and associated receiver according to one embodiment;

FIGS. 6-11 are progressive side views illustrating a procedure for associating the pod first with a vehicle including a lifter and then with a mining machine; and

FIG. 12 is a side view illustrating an alternate embodiment of the materials pod.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the materials pod, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1-4, which illustrate a mining machine M for which the materials pod 10 of the disclosure may have utility. The machine M may be any type of mining machine, but the pod 10 is especially useful in connection with a machine in the form of a bolter having bolting rigs R for installing anchorage in the roof, ribs, or other faces of a mine passage, as well as automated temporary roof support(s) (ATRS) (see, e.g., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0247836 and U.S. Pat. No. 8,342,267, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference). Such a machine M is typically adapted for moving around the mine passage, such as on wheels Z, and thus may be considered a vehicle.

In the illustrated embodiment, the bolter serving as the machine M includes an operator's station O, which is positioned adjacent the location of the materials pod 10. The station O may also be associated with a walkway W for allowing the operator to exit the machine M from the rear. An adjacent support S may also be provided for supporting the pod 10 in use on the machine M.

With specific reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the details of the pod 10 can be understood. The pod 10 may include a tray or base 12, which may be rectangular, but could have other shapes. The base 12 may include a substantially planar floor 14 and at least three upstanding walls 16 for confining any materials within the pod 10, and forming an open upper end or portion for allowing ready access to the materials by the operator of the machine M. One or more of the walls 16 may also include openings 16 a, which may be adapted for receiving a lifting device, such as a forklift.

As can be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, the pod 10 may be sized such that it partially overhangs the perimeter or periphery of the machine M, or the portion forming the support S in particular. This overhang 18 of the pod 10 may include a connector 20 (such as an elongated cylindrical or square bar) for connecting with a lifting machine, such as an LHD (see FIG. 11), or other type of forklift, scoop, or the like, in a manner further described herein. The overhang 18 may extend from the rear end E of the machine M when the pod 10 is thereon, but could also extend from the lateral side L as well, or both.

The overhang 18 may also include a tapered portion 24. This portion 24 creates a space with the floor F (such as of a mine passage) to allow a lifting device (such as an LHD bucket B or the like) to get at least partially under the pod 10 for purposes of lifting it (see FIG. 7), as well as to maintain the pod in a substantially horizontal condition once lifted and as the bucket B is manipulated to deliver the pod to the machine M. The tapered portion 24 may comprise a plurality of arms 26 extending from the pod 10, which arms may support the connector 20.

As can be appreciated, the overhang 18, and the entire pod 10 in particular, preferably has a low profile. For instance, in the illustrated embodiment, the height H of the pod 10 is less than the distance D spanning the mouth or opening of the bucket B, as shown, and only minimally enters the bucket itself when associated therewith. Advantageously, this low profile allows for the pod 10 to be raised to the roof in an underground mine (where vertical space is usually severely limited) and placed onto the mining machine M (see FIG. 11 and note roof or ceiling C).

In use, and with reference to FIGS. 6-11, the pod 10 may be initially resting on a floor F, such as along a mine passage, and may be provided with materials, including for example drill steels, bolts, tools, cutters, or other associated parts. In this position, it can be appreciated that a lifting device having an undersized portion, such as the toe T of bucket B, may be positioned below the overhang 18 to engage the arms 26 of the tapered portion 24. Continued forward movement of the lifting device then causes the pod 10 to climb until the connecter 20 encounters a retainer, such as a latch 28 associated with the lifting machine, such as LHD, which latch may be hydraulically actuated, as shown in FIG. 8.

Once latched into position, as shown in FIG. 8, the pod 10 may be lifted and transported to the machine M. The pod 10 may then be placed onto the support S of machine M (FIG. 10) and latched into position (such as using a spring latch 29). The retainer of the lifter, such as the latch 28, may then be released and the pod lowered into position (FIG. 10). The procedure may simply be reversed for removing the pod 10.

According to a further aspect of the disclosure, and with reference to FIGS. 5, 10, and 12, the machine M may also include a receiver 30 for positioning on the support S for receiving the pod 10. The receiver 30 may include an open end 34 corresponding to the overhang 18, and an endwall 32 defining a stop for the pod 10 and also perhaps supporting the latch 29. Sidewalls 34 of the receiver 30 may also connect to the endwall 32, opposite to which is the open end 34, adjacent to which the sidewalls may flare outwardly to facilitate insertion of the pod 10 and guide it into position onto the machine M.

The pod 10 may also be modular in construction. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the overhang 18 may be hingedly secured to the tray or base 12, such that it may be retracted (note position 18′) when not needed. The hinge is shown as being located along an axis where the taper commences, but could be anywhere along the overhang 18, which may thus move between an operative positon and a non-operative position. The overhang 18 could also be made removable from the base 12, such as through the use of fasteners (bolts, pins, etc.). In any case, the retraction may aid with the maneuverability of the machine M throughout the mine passage.

The foregoing descriptions of various embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. These descriptions are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. The embodiments described provide the best illustration of the inventive principles and their practical applications to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

1. An apparatus for holding materials for use in connection with a mining machine and for being transported to or from the mining machine by a vehicle, comprising: a materials pod including a base portion for supporting the materials and an open upper end for providing access to the materials in the pod, the materials pod further including a connector projecting therefrom, the connector adapted for connecting to the vehicle for transporting the materials pod to and from the mining machine.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vehicle comprises a lifter having a bucket, and the pod comprises a tapered portion adapted for engaging the bucket.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pod comprises spaced arms adapted for supporting the connector.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a receiver adapted for receiving the materials pod, the receiver including at least one open side for receiving the materials pod and an opposing end wall for engaging the materials pod in a nested condition.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a hinge for moving the connector from an operative position to a retracted position.
 6. An apparatus for holding materials for use in a mining operation, comprising: a mining machine having a support; and a materials pod supported by the support, the materials pod having an overhang for extending beyond a perimeter of the support in an operative position.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the materials pod comprises a tapered portion adapted for engaging a bucket associated with a lifter.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the materials pod comprises spaced arms projecting from a wall thereof and supporting a connector extending transverse to the wall.
 9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the support comprises a receiver including at least one open side for receiving the materials pod and an opposing end wall for engaging the materials pod in a nested position.
 10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the open side is bounded by flared sidewalls of the receiver for guiding the materials pod to the nested position.
 11. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the mining machine includes a latch for latching to the materials pod.
 12. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the mining machine comprises a bolter.
 13. The apparatus of claim 6, further including a hinge for moving the overhang from the operative position to a travel position.
 14. An apparatus for holding materials for use in connection with a mining operation, comprising: a materials pod including a base portion for supporting the materials, the materials pod further including a connector; and a vehicle having a receiver for receiving a portion of the materials pod, the vehicle including a latch for latching with the connector.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the vehicle comprises an LHD and the receiver comprises a bucket.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein materials pod comprises a tapered portion for engaging the bucket.
 17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the materials pod comprises spaced arms supporting the connector.
 18. An apparatus for holding materials for use in connection with a mining machine in a mine passage having a floor, comprising: a materials pod having an open upper portion for receiving the materials and a tapered lower portion for forming a space between the materials pod and the floor of the mine passage.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, further including a lifter adapted for positioning in the space.
 20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the materials pod comprises a plurality of arms extending from the pod, the arms supporting a connector for connecting the materials pod to a lifter. 